REVIEW: THE ACCOUNTANT 2

3.5/5

Tax Day

132 Mins. Starring: Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Daniella Pineda & J. K. Simmons. Screenplay: Bill Dubuque. Director: Gavin O'Connor. On: Amazon Prime.

Banking on the chemistry they set in the first film, 'The Accountant 2', with lead Ben Affleck and co-star Jon Bernthal, sees Batman and The Punisher settle all accounts on Amazon Prime. It's been an almost unbelievable ten years since the original 'Accountant' took names, and you know what, but now, with the streaming success of the big-three (Netflix, Disney Plus and Amazon Prime), it finds a home on Amazon MGM Studios with all 'The Boys', 'Jack Ryan's' (that Ben once was) and 'Reacher' figures that kick ass. After the 'Air' of Affleck's Nike recruiting Michael Jordan movie with Matt Damon showed us real Artist Equity across the board. And right around the time, now, where the perfect 'Good Will Hunting' pair debut a trailer for their new film ('The Rip') on Netflix's comic con like Tudum showcase. Not to mention, whilst the boy Bernthal steals the show from 'Daredevil', once again, as Frank Castle on 'Born Again' streaming on Disney Plus.

Reprising their roles from the first film, Cynthia Addai-Robinson ('Spartacus', 'Arrow', 'Shooter') and a 'Whiplash' J.K. Simmons are back like the writer/director reunion of Bill Dubuque ('Ozark') and Gavin O'Connor ('Warrior'), working as well as the one-two punch of Ben and Jon. Sure, it's a shame that the moxie of Anna Kendrick withdrew from 'The Accountant 2', much like the lack of supporting big names like Jeffrey Tambor and John Lithgow, but it's OK. 'Cowboy Bebop' star Daniella Pineda steals the spare scenes she is in, with what could have been a 'Ballerina' audition. Yep, this action lights the wick fuse, in some serious hand-to-hand action and gun play with the real 'Hurt Locker' heat. What more can you expect from Affleck (who directed the likes of which in 'The Town' and his seriously underrated 'Live By Night') and the man with a skull on his chest? But when Affleck and Bernthal get to talking, let me tell you something. Charlie Cox may even get jealous of this beautiful, bantering and blistering back and forth.

There's a sweet sensitivity to Affleck's autistic assassin, even if there is somewhat of a Hollywood 'Rain Man' like treatment of his condition. This is why 'The Accountant 2' one-ups its surprise smash hit of a predecessor, and there is even a third film in the works. The action is absolutely amazing, sure, that's a great given, but the best scene in the movie may be a speed dating one, where his hilarious Wolff character beats Bumble, even if he does seem a little unhinged. Swipe through that, Tinder. Mix that up with a classic hoe down in a honky-tonk bar (how dya like them apples?), and you'll be in for a real song and dance with the perfect pause picture. And just wait until you find out who his "guy" in the chair is. The ever charismatic Bernthal, practicing how to speak to a woman in a mirror, wearing nothing but his tighty-whities rocks a t-shirt repping country icon Waylon Jennings the rest of the time out. And Affleck even replies, "because you asked" to Addai-Robinson's "why" like Chris Pine and Ben Foster referencing the same song in their own middle-America action hit, 'Hell Or High Water'. Come both of those things, make sure you find 'The Accountant', too. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'The Accountant', 'The Punisher', 'The Town'.